PROSAM PROJECT STATUS REPORT
DECEMBER 18, 2001


Accomplishments/Activities

*	A three-day meeting was held with representatives from SAP, Sigma, 
Central Michigan University and Ole Miss, which resulted in a very 
productive exchange of information.  Issues were identified, documented 
and assigned.   

*	A representative sample of ISIRs have been loaded.  Business rules have 
been written to assign tracks to these students.  (Tracks determine what 
documents are required for the application or file to be marked as 
"complete.")  These rules were reviewed during an on-site visit by Sigma 
personnel and revisions were recommended.

*	Two Sigma staff members spent the week at Ole Miss providing on-site 
training and support.  The team received training on packaging 
(awarding), both the overall process and the creation of business rules to 
control the process.   We also examined job scripts and learned to 
interpret the output of jobs.    In addition, there was training in Sigma's 
problem reporting system, "Track It."   Finally, the capabilities of the ISIR 
preprocessor were examined.

*	An evaluation version of run-time MicroFocus COBOL has been ordered.   
We will determine whether this will address the license limit problem that 
is being encountered.  



Project Plan Status

A very specific plan was developed to ensure our go-live date of February.   This 
will be monitored very closely and adjustments made if necessary.

Tasks Behind Schedule

The interface between Sigma and Legacy is behind schedule.  We are waiting for 
the daemon from Sigma which will process the XML requests.  

Outstanding Issues

*	It was determined that some of the fields needed for the diagnostics 
interface are not available in the I99 (integration) table.   It was also 
discovered that some additional fields will be required in the interface 
which are being added to the legacy DC routine. Sigma has agreed to 
incorporate the capabilities of their integration shell into their interface.  
*	If the no-delay version of MicroFocus COBOL is required, there will be an 
additional charge for the software.  
*	There is not at the present time a method to prevent overawards.  


Major Activities Planned for the Next Two (Work) Weeks

*	Begin translating legacy awarding logic into English and then into 
business rules.
*	Revise business rules for assigning tracks as identified last week and 
continue testing.
*	Examine the capabilities of the ISIR Pre-processor and determine whether 
it will be used here.  
*	Coordinate the establishment of a development, quality, and production 
environment so that testing can take place without affecting training and 
production.
*	Examine job scripts and control options for packaging runs.
*	Evaluate the ramifications of using the aid year to indicate Graduate or 
Undergraduate.   This is especially critical for students who change during 
mid-year.  
*	Begin creating notifications, particularly the award letter.
*	Assign responsibility for creating and executing test plans for track 
assignment, budgeting, awarding and disbursement.